Hiking Trails

Moon Falls in theUmpqua National Forest:

Moon Falls along with Spirit and Pinard Waterfalls in the wild and scenic Umpqua River watershed provide three lovely hiking trails to beautiful waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest of the Oregon Cascade Mountains.

Moon Falls is just a drive out of Cottage Grove, Oregon and well worth it. Both the hike and the drive to the waterfall are exceptional. Gaze across steep mountain valleys and ravines, stately trees, and then ... the waterfall: Directions.

Plan your visit to the many waterfalls and hiking trails in the Umpqua National Forest. Want to learn more about the campgrounds on the North Umpqua River and others in the Umpqua River watershed?

Take exit 174 for Cottage Grove from I - 5. If you're heading south, this is the second exit.

The exit will just turn into the road you need. Follow it east for 19.4 miles until you see the "Y" marking Layng Creek and Brice Creek Roads. Turn left on Layng Creek Road (#17). Travel 9 miles to the gravel road numbered #1790. Turn right on 1790 and drive .3 mile to road #1702. Turn left, travel 2.8 miles to road 1702-728. Follow road 1701-728 for 0.3 miles before turning left on road 1702-203. From there it's just 0.1 mile to trailhead. Unless the situation has been amended, the trailhead is not clearly marked. I've never been there without wondering if this was the actual place, but it has always been. :)

The hike is a short half mile with the first 0.3-mile following a gentle grade to the upper fork of a closed spur road. The remaining 0.2-mile of trail travels through a beautiful old growth forest, terminating at the base a beautiful Moon Falls, a 125í cascading waterfall. As stated above, the trail is located within Layng Creek Watershed, a municipal water supply for Row River community. Because of this, camping and swimming are prohibited here.

The above photograph was taken during late July or August. Obviously, the waterfall will flow more profusely earlier in the year, but I think it's loveliest as portrayed above. And if it's a hot day, the heavy mist that maintains the lush vegetation found here refreshes. :-)

This is a very easy hike. More of a stroll actually. Allow yourself at least 1.5 -2 hours for the hike in and out, giving time enough to explore the waterfalls and pool below. While exploring, be careful of slippery rocks and logs. The Umpqua National Forest judges the trail grades to be gentle, ranging from 5-10%.

Taking the "Silver Stairs" out of the Umpqua National Forest and into the Willamette National Forest:

If you like to explore, don't turn towards Cottage Grove when you've made your hikes and are ready to leave the area, turn in the opposite direction and follow the signs to Hwy 58, the Willamette Pass. This route is clearly marked. Nevertheless, I called the Cottage Grove Ranger Station of the Umpqua National Forest (541-767-5000) to confirm the "names" of the roads on the route. Not surprisingly, the representative knows the forest better than I do. She said that from Moon Falls you can get right onto 1714, which is the road you need. Getting onto 1714 isnít clear to me, since we always just follow the signs. If you see 1714 when leaving the area of Moon Falls, perhaps you might just want to get on it and make your way.

Based upon what she said, Brad and I have always gotten onto 1790, and as I said it's clearly marked. Weíve gone this way after hiking to all the waterfalls in the Layng Watershed: Moon, Spirit and Pinard waterfalls. This route on 1790 is called "The Silver Stairs" locally - pretty name for a pretty place. According to what ranger said, 1790 will turn into 1714. To clarify any doubts you might have, Brad and I have never known the numbers of the route. A man who'd lived in the area for decades told us about it the first time we hiked at Brice Creek. We've taken it every time it's been late enough in the year to do so. The road is impassable until snowmelt, so donít attempt it too early. It's a well maintained gravel road that turns into a paved road in the Willamette National Forest. The road is named when you come out on the Willamette Pass, Patterson Road.

As I said, the way from the Umpqua National Forest into the Willamette National Forest and Hwy 58 is clearly marked with signs that say, Hwy 58 and perhaps Oakridge. The last time I'd been to McCready Hot Springs, people had ridden their bikes from Brice Creek to Hwy 58, and from there to McCready. They were cooking eggs where the water comes out from underground - Interesting people. :-)

Forward ~ Pinard Waterfallin the Row River Watershed in the Umpqua National Forest.

Back ~ The lacy flows of Spirit Waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest.

USFS: Umpqua National Forest. BLM: RoseburgDistrict of the Bureau of Land Management.

Camping in the Umpqua National Forest & those areas managed by the Roseburg BLM

Directions to campgrounds in the Diamond Lake District of the Umpqua National Forest. Directions to campgrounds in the North Umpqua River district. The campgrounds for both districts are off the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway, many are on the wild and scenic Umpqua River. All fall between the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park and I-5 at Roseburg, Oregon. Boulder Flat is the last one in the North Umpqua district. After that you're in the Diamond Lake District. Directions to campgrounds in the Little River watershed of the North Umpqua River.Directions to camping facilities in the Row River watershed of the Umpqua River. Directions to campgrounds on the south Umpqua River also in the Umpqua River watershed.

Hiking Trails in the Umpqua River watershed in the Umpqua National Forest

Directions for hiking trails to waterfalls and other points of interest in the Row River Watershed of the wild and scenic Umpqua River in the Umpqua National Forest. As well as Directions for the Umpqua River Trail - 12 hiking trails riverside. Directions for hiking trails to the many waterfalls on the wild and scenic Umpqua River off the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway. Directions for hiking trails in the south Umpqua watershed. Directions for hiking trails in the Little River watershed. Most within the magnificent Umpqua National Forest.

The North Umpqua Waterfalls Tour on the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway:

Travel Directions, Map and Scenery ~ can include Crater Lake National Park: Introduction. Experience: splendid scenery, hiking trails for intrepid hikers and those with less enthusiam. Enjoy the magnificent the wild and scenic Umpqua River, Umpqua hot springs near Toketee Campground, rafting on the rapids, hiking the beautiful trail along the Umpqua gorge to magnificent Toketee Waterfalls, my favorite, and the favorite of anyone I've ever spoken to. Hike through a forest garden of dense wild rhododendrons at Warm Spring Waterfalls. Hike the trails to experience the wonder of tumultuous Watson Falls. Don't forget Lemolo Waterfalls and Lemolo Lake. And when you arrive at the north entrance partake the splendor of Crater Lake - Enjoy beauty.

Travel Directions, Map and Scenery. Experience: splendid scenery, hiking trails for intrepid hikers and those with less enthusiam, experience the majestic Rogue River Gorge at Union Creek and the Natural Bridge, waterfalls, the Rogue River Hiking Trail, hiking trails to Muir Creek Waterfalls and National Creek Waterfalls all in the Rogue - Siskiyou National Forest. Enjoy hiking trails to Mill Creek Waterfalls, Barr Creek Waterfalls and Pearsoney Waterfalls in Prospect, Oregon. Or just stand on the historic Prospect bridge and enjoy the panorama of the Avenue of Giant Boulders. Hike down to the water's edge if you've a mind to.

Travel to Gathering Light ... a retreat on the North Umpqua Scenic Byway: Travel DirectionsMap and Scenery. Experience the columnar basalt of Toketee Waterfalls, the magnificent Watson Falls, the beauty of the Umpqua River as you drive, the "Keeper", Deadline Falls, a class 5 rapid, the Salmon returning to span from May through July - Enjoy the wild and scenic river. When you come to the north entrance of Crater Lake, enjoy Crater Lake National Park too.

Little known Scenic Places to nature untrammeled: hiking with and without trails, wetlands, national wildlife refuges, mountains, wilderness areas, river gorges and more near Crater Lake National Park and the retreat: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery.